Posted on 01/29/2009 9:57:53 AM PST by Nachum
The message that popped into Laurie Gale's Facebook inbox last month seemed harmless enough -- a friend had seen a video of Ms. Gale and had sent a link so Ms. Gale could view it. The link led to a video site that prompted her to update her video software, which she did.
"Within seconds, everything started shutting itself down," says Ms. Gale, a 37-year-old lamp-works artist from Versailles, Ky. Ms. Gale's new Dell Inspiron laptop had been infected with malicious software, or malware, that has spread through social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace.
"I cried for an hour," Ms. Gale says. It took a trip to the local computer repair shop and several phone calls with Dell customer-service representatives for her to restore the computer to its factory settings. "It was three days of torture."
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
If I was stupid enough to download unknown software, I’d cry too.
facebook etc
Am I the only one who has never seen the point in it and never bother with it?
Just don’t see the reason why I should go on line, give a bunch of info out about me including how I look and then try to make friends.
or am I missing something?
With friends like that, who needs Facebook?
At 37, Ms. Gale is a little old to be learning that slumming can be dangerous.
what is a lamp-works artist?
I use it mostly to keep in touch with people I know in real life. Especially helpful now that we have all graduated from college and are spread out.
A lot of people use it to get phone numbers when their cell phone breaks.
In you do get caught in the “update software to view video” virus scam.
Step one, close browser.
Step two, turn off computer.
Step three, go read a book. You’re not smart enough for the internet.
Ms. Gale is a complete dumbass ...
it says, "i saw YOU in this HILARIOUS video!!!! LOLOLOLOLOL!!!! check it our here!!! XOXOXOX!!!!!
and then there is a link to some stupid site you've never heard of. i delete them and comment on my friends page that they got hacked. my old college teammates hardly ever write "XOXOX!!!" to me so i know it's not real. ha.
Yes. And I'm guessing you're over 50 too.
what is a lamp-works artist?
______
A liberal without a real job.
Anybody who accepts a "software update" from some random link needs a software update between the ears.
“It was three days of torture.”
Given the current political environment she should sue.
Good lord.
no actually I’ve just turned 40 and know many people who do it but my self I just don’t see the point of going on there to find friends when I have them here plus telling the world what I look like and all about me.
What am I missing?
A friend told me that it was cool and another was well you make friends over the internet.
Sorry but I just don’t get it.
that is one of the best answers I have ever got for anyone who uses this face book thank you
Friends and family. In fact my uncle posts a family newsletter on facebook every couple of weeks.
What can I say---I have lots of friends already--LOL! FreeRepublic is all I need. Thanks, Mr. Robinson!
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